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Archive for May, 2018

I was on this section of the Charleston Highway today, and noticed that the Thrift Store in the Mr. Bingo plaza was closed. There appeared to be some work going on inside, but whether it is to re-open, or they are setting up for something else, I don't know.

Jimmy John's is pretty much my goto sub chain(*). I have walked into Jersey Mike's several times, never seen anything I wanted to eat and walked out, Sub Station II doesn't have unsweet tea, Subway is OK, but the one I had most access to for several years kept the thermostat on sub-zero and I had to stop going. The only issue I have with Jimmy John's is the way they core out the bread for your sandwich. If they are going to do that, you ought to get the bread core too -- you paid for it.

That said, I have never eaten at this one as Forest Drive is closer and has parking. At any rate, as reported by commenter MB, it is now closed. I find it curious how completely it is stripped as they were still doing Facebook postings as late as 19 May.

I noticed this former church driving down Greenlawn Drive the other day (and you don't see that very often!). Unfortunately, it was basically at or just after sunset, so the pictures did not come out very well.

I'm not quite sure who the tenant was. Google suggests, Good Shepherd's Faith Assembly which is currently on Garner Lane, but their web site doesn't mention any move. The sign out front points to Word Of Truth, but the website on the sign does not mention this location. Perhaps they are about to move there as the place has been sold.

The process has now started, and while the shelves are getting rather bare, there are definitely some good deals to be had, as everything seems to be at least 40% off. I do find it rather curious that they have eschewed the normal Closing signs here. I was not in fact sure the clearance had begun because there is no indication in any of the windows. The closest thing is a small paper sign posting reduced hours, but not saying why.

It will be interesting to see how much work Food Lion does on the interior here.

I happened to turn down Boston Avenue behind Lizard's Thicket in Springdale today, and noticed this closed diner that I had not been aware of. I'm guessing it was built in the 1960s for some fast food chain, but the last tenant was Marion's Diner (listed in the phonebook simply as Diner). They have a number of very good reviews online, and appear to have combined Southern Meat & Three with standard fast-food offerings.

As we discussed earlier those Rite Aid locations which have been purchased by Walgreens and are close to an existing Walgreens location will be closing. The process has started now, and this store, at the west corner of Two Notch & Rabon Roads will be closing on 13 June. I didn't have a chance to go in, and these pictures through the rain aren't that great, but you can see that signs are up.

I had not noticed this closing until commener Andrew pointed it out, but in fact there was a nice article mainly about this family business last year in The Free Times:

Stepping into Washington Street Barber Shop, just off bustling Main Street in downtown Columbia, is like stepping into a time capsule.

The barber shop at 1122 Washington St. has dark, wood-paneled walls like the ones in an old basement rec room. Tacked and taped to those walls are dozens of articles from The State newspaper, many of which detail the exploits of the Gamecocks sports teams through the years.

In the corner there’s a checkerboard set up, just in case anyone wants to get in a game or two as they wait for the barber’s chair to come open. Over near the row of chairs that constitutes the waiting area, there’s a standup dish with an ever-rotating supply of candy. Hershey’s Kisses, little Kit Kats, the good stuff.

An ancient tube TV — the picture is starting to wane — is always running, and it seems to forever be playing the classics: Gunsmoke, The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza.

Washington Street Barber Shop is blissfully free of many of the trappings of the modern salons that pass themselves off as barber shops.

In the end, the story came down to rising property values in the area, and an expiring lease (though there is yet to be a new tenant).

Commenter thomas adds:

The Barber Shop that Andrew mentions was originally on Hampton Street and the florist was next door. The buildings were demolished to construct the bank building which was originally First Union and is now Wells Fargo. They relocated to Washington Street. There was a grocery store behind there at the corner of Assembly and Hampton. Wayne Evans and his father operated the barber shop and his father died several years ago.

I don't recall the shop specifically in that location, though I do recall that grocery.

I have been noticing this place on Screaming Eagle Road, about halfway between Percival Road and US-601, for years. I always thought I would stop someday, but had never got around to it. The last few times I went to the coast, it seemed like it might be closed, so I finally did stop to take a closer look, and it is in fact closed. Since the last newspaper on the stack is dated 28 February 2018, I'm guessing it happened in early March.

There was a story in The State from a few years ago about their fried, burnt, bologna sandwiches which mentions that the owner was in poor health. I certainly hope this was not the reason for the closing, but whatever reason, it is always a shame to see these unique little local stores close.